| the angular distance from the ecliptic of a point on the celestial sphere. |
| celestial latitude n. The angular distance north, counted positive, or south, counted negative, of the ecliptic along a great circle drawn through the pole of the ecliptic and a celestial body. |
| celestial latitude
On the celestial sphere, the position of a celestial object north or south of the ecliptic. Celestial latitude is measured in degrees along a great circle drawn through the object being measured and the poles of the ecliptic, with positive values north of the ecliptic and negative values south of it, so that the ecliptic itself is 0° and the north and south ecliptic poles are +90° and -90° respectively. Compare celestial longitude. See more at ecliptic coordinate system. |